Writes Caplan: "According to multiple sources, the Eagles will show strong interest in Taylor once free agency starts. And with the Eagles possibly playing more zone and less man coverage in the secondary this season based on the adjustment the defensive line is expected to undergo, Taylor would fit in quite well."

Caplan rates Taylor as the 13th best defensive player available in free agency. He expects the Steelers to expect to try to keep him, along with interest from the Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans.

Taylor, 31, is coming off a 5-year, $22.7 million deal that included a $6.4 million signing bonus. He twice restructured the deal to help the Steelers get additional cap space to sign other players in which he reduced his base salary to the near the league minimum and converted the balance into a guaranteed signing bonus.

Taylor, 6-2, 195, has not missed a game since 2005. Last season, he had 66 tackles, one sack and two interceptions.

Presumably at 31, Taylor would not be a long-term solution, but he would come much cheaper than Asomugha, if the Eagles are concerned about tying up too much money at one position, given Asante Samuel's contract.

The Eagles have high hopes for Curtis Marsh, a third-round pick this year, or second-year man Trevard Lindley to eventually be starters.

Caplan also writes the Eagles could have interest in Jacksonville linebacker Kirk Morrison, should the Jags not be able to sign him.